Lancashire’s flood victims urged to take advantage of grants

People affected by December’s floods are being urged to take advantage of a Government scheme to help householders and businesses make their properties more resistant to future floods.

Under the scheme, householders and businesses affected by Storms Desmond and Eva can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to help make their homes and premises more resilient to flooding in the future.

The grants, administered by local district councils, are intended to help homeowners and businesses put in measures which improve the property’s resilience or resistance to flooding, over and above repairs that would normally be covered by insurance.

More details on how to apply for the Flood Resilience Grant Scheme are available from the relevant district council. More details on what the scheme covers are available under flooding advice at the Lancashire County Council website: http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/roads/flooding.aspx

Speaking about the funding, County Councillor Jennifer Mein, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said:

“Anyone affected by Storms Desmond or Eva is only too aware of the devastating impact flooding can have, on your home or your business. In the aftermath of a flood there is a huge amount of work to be done to put things right and my sympathies are with everyone who found themselves in that position.

“I’d like to urge everyone affected to apply for a resilience grant, of up to £5000, to make sure that the impact on their property of any future flooding is minimised as much as physically possible.

“Every affected household has now received a £500 payment from central government and there are other sources of funding available for householders and businesses, so make the most of them.

“Details of the funding, along with who runs each scheme, are available on our website. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, just ask.”

Every household flooded during the storms was eligible to receive £500 and district councils have now made all of those payments.